FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: KETCHIKAN, ALASKA / June 1, 2020 – Chinook Shores Lodge, a Ketchikan Alaska fishing lodge specializing in self-guided fishing and bareboat charters, today announced the addition of Yellow Beard — its eighth custom-built 23′ Silver Streak rental boat — to its unguided fishing fleet.

The 2020 season had started on a high note. Chinook Shores Lodge wrapped up a successful winter tradeshow circuit in February with record sales and a completely sold-out lodge. Then, in March, Alaska announced a COVID-19 travel ban. Within 48 hours, the lodge absorbed 40 cancellations.

Rather than pulling back, Jeff and Nadra Wedekind — who had already ordered Yellow Beard before the pandemic — made the decision to move forward. Their reasoning was straightforward: outdoor recreation, private accommodations, and independent travel were exactly what people would need when the restrictions lifted.

“We had just come off our best booking season ever when everything stopped,” said Jeff Wedekind, co-owner of Chinook Shores Lodge. “Forty cancellations in 48 hours was a gut punch. But we knew people were going to want to get outside — especially after being cooped up and forced to social distance. Self-guided fishing in a private boat, staying in a private beach house, away from crowds — that’s exactly what COVID travelers were going to be looking for.”

“We had ordered Yellow Beard before any of this happened, and we never considered canceling,” added Nadra Wedekind, co-owner of Chinook Shores Lodge. “We focused on the growing need for independent travel — private accommodations with premium rental boats. As soon as the travel ban was lifted, our guests came back. We recouped much of what we had lost, and Yellow Beard was in the water ready for them.”

Yellow Beard represents a significant upgrade over earlier fleet additions, featuring a 200hp Mercury main engine — the most powerful in the Chinook Shores fleet — paired with a 9.9hp Mercury trolling motor, giving unguided anglers enhanced speed, range, and precision on the water:

• 23′ Hard Top with 8’5″ Beam
• 200hp Mercury Main Engine
• 9.9hp Mercury Trolling Motor
• Dual Steering Helm — Bow and Rear
• Aluminum Self-Bailing Decks with Deck Wash Down Pump
• Bow Cockpit with High Profile Handrails
• Transom Handrails and Downrigger Mounts
• Fish Box in Transom with Cutting Board
• Fish Box w/ Removable Liner in Aft Deck Compartment
• Cabin Top Handrails
• Rod Holders
• Scotty Downriggers
• Horizon VHF Radio
• Garmin GPSMAP Marine Chartplotter with CHIRP Sonar Fishfinder
• Vinyl Upholstered Swivel Seats on Shock Absorbing Back-Saver Pedestals
• Walk-Thru 3-Piece Windshield

As with all Chinook Shores Silver Streak rental boats, Yellow Beard features solid aluminum hard tops and fully welded aluminum self-bailing decks, with the hull and gunnels sprayed with closed cell polyurethane flotation foam — giving unguided anglers the confidence to fish Southeast Alaska’s saltwater with the highest level of safety in the industry.

With eight Silver Streak rental boats now operating from its private dock, Chinook Shores Lodge enters the post-COVID season as the premier destination for self-guided and bareboat charter fishing in Southeast Alaska — stronger and better equipped than ever before.

About Chinook Shores Lodge Chinook Shores, Inc. (dba Chinook Shores Lodge) is located 15 miles north of Ketchikan International Airport in Southeast Alaska on Revillagigedo Island. Accommodations include four waterfront beach houses, one waterview vacation rental and The Inn at Knudson Cove. All vacation rental properties feature fully equipped kitchens, private outdoor BBQ areas, washer/dryers, TV, WiFi and cell service. Chinook Shores Lodge specializes in self-guided fishing and rents custom-built, 23′ aluminum hardtop fishing boats from their private dock to locals and lodge guests. For more information, visit chinookshores.com.

About Silver Streak Boats Silver Streak Boats has been building premium welded aluminum fishing boats for nearly 30 years. For more information, visit silverstreakboats.com.